New 2020 CPI Available

The annual CPI rate for rent increases effective July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021, is 2.7%.

COVID-19 Related Service Update

Due to the Shelter In Place Order issued on March 16, 2020, all drop-in housing counseling and workshops have been canceled.

Rent Program staff members remain available to assist members of the public by phone at (510) 238 - 3721 during normal business hours Monday - Friday, 9:30 am - 4:30 pm. Please leave a message and a housing counselor will return your call within 24 hours. You may also email us at rap@oaklandca.gov. Please visit our website at www.oaklandca.gov/rap

All hearings, mediations and Rent Board meetings scheduled through May 31, 2020 are postponed until further notice. Parties will receive notice of a new hearing date in the mail.

In the interest of public safety, hearings set for June 2020 will be conducted remotely, to the extent possible. Parties who have hearings to be held in June will be contacted with more information.

New petitions should be submitted online. All petition related documents should be submitted by mail to 250 Frank Ogawa Plaza, Suite 5313, Oakland, CA 94612 or by email to rap@oaklandca.gov.

EFFECTIVE MARCH 27, 2020: TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON EVICTIONS AND RENT INCREASES AND PROHIBITION OF RENTAL LATE FEES RESULTING FROM FINANCIAL IMPACTS RELATED TO NOVEL CORONAVIRUS DURING LOCAL EMERGENCY

On March 9, 2020 the Oakland City Administrator issued a proclamation of Local Emergency which was ratified by the Oakland City Council on March 12, 2020, due to the Novel Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. On March 27, 2020 the City Council passed an Ordinance that establishes a moratorium on most evictions and rent increases above the local CPI or fair return during the Local Emergency. The Ordinance also prohibits late fees if rent was late due to COVID-19 reasons.

On May 19, 2020, the Oakland City Council extended the residential eviction moratorium. It is set to expire August 31, 2020 or at the end of the Local Emergency, whichever comes first, unless City Council extends it.

EFFECTIVE MARCH 23, 2020: SUSPENSION OF ALL TIME-LIMITS AND DEADLINES FOR RAP

On March 23, 2020, the Oakland City Administrator issued an Executive Order which suspends all time-limits and deadlines for all Rent Adjustment Program petitions, appeals, and other matters for the duration of the local emergency.

Rent Adjustment Program Announcements

New Evening Drop In Service Hours at the Oakland Public Library

Are you a renter who has questions about your rights and responsibilities? Are you a property owner who's looking for more information about The City of Oakland’s Rent Adjustment Program Ordinance? Get help for these or other rental housing related questions. Visit the library on Wednesday evenings from 5pm to 7pm for drop-in counseling with the City of Oakland’s Rent Adjustment Program staff for Oakland Rental Property Owners & Tenants.

The Oakland City Council adopted the Rent Adjustment Program Ordinance (OMC Chapter 8.22) in 1980. This ordinance sets the maximum annual rent increase based on the annual CPI increase, handles rent adjustments for claims of decreases in housing services and handles other rent related matters. The purpose of this program is to foster fair housing for a diverse population of renters and enforce the Rent Adjustment Ordinance set out by the City of Oakland.

You can also contact a Rent Program Housing Counselor by calling (510) 238-3721 or visiting during drop-in hours at the Housing Resource Center on the 6th Floor of 250 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza See the their webpage for more information.

Join the email list!

If you would like to receive emails about upcoming events or updates from the Rent Adjustment Program, please sign up! Please use the link below to add your name and email to our list for future updates.

As of June 5, 2019, all units in an owner occupied duplex or triplex are now covered by rent control. Property owners must now pay the annual Rent Adjustment Program fee.

Property owners of newly covered duplex/triplex units may petition for a rent increase above the annual CPI if the owner did not increase rents or increased rents less than the CPI limits between 11/7/15 and 11/6/18. The petition must be filed before June 30, 2020 and may not serve a rent increase until the Rent Program issues a decision.

Workshops

The Rent Adjustment Program is now holding workshops for both landlords and tenants. Attend an upcoming workshop to learn more about the Rent Adjustment Program Ordinance and other housing laws relevant in Oakland. The calendar provides different dates for topics which include Rights and Responsibilities for Landlords/Tenants, Landlord 101 and Tenants Rights.